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5/16/2012
Democratic party chair resigns, then not
(The line is sometimes quoted, “If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.” It appeared otherwise as sent in a telegram to a friend. By the way, my favorite Sherman quote: “If I had my choice, I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.”)
5/14/2012
North Carolina pictured in two snapshots
North Carolina politics is a study in contrasts. It’s a state that voted five times for Jim Hunt and five times for Jesse Helms — including once in the same year, 1996. It’s a state that made history in 2008 by opting for the nation’s first black president — and then made history in 2010 by opting for a Republican legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.
5/14/2012
Wait brings us the "Catch-22" of war
But those expressions of appreciation, sincere as they may be, are not nearly enough.
5/11/2012
Don't hate the player; hate the game
How about this one? Ever send your child into the convenience store for a Gatorade or drink with a ten spot and barely get any change back? You send them in there for a twenty ounce Gatorade and they come back with the Gatorade, grape Bubble Yum, Sprees, and some chili cheese corn chips and then hand you the $2.48 in change. My oldest did that to me one of the first times he went in the store by himself. His reasoning? He thought I meant to spend the whole $10. I sarcastically told him he might as well go back in and get a Slurpee, too. Sadly, he actually opened the car door and attempted to go back inside the store.
5/11/2012
If N.C. was a country
When it comes to the quality and cost of labor and capital, North Carolina doesn’t have a very good pitch right now. Our marginal tax rates on investment, for example, are far out of line with those of our competitors. As I describe in my forthcoming book Our Best Foot Forward: An Investment Plan for North Carolina’s Economic Recovery:
5/11/2012
No alarms and no surprises in primary
Perhaps that great American tradition of political protest will provide a little solace.
5/10/2012
A sex scandal, and a political failure
The whispers start. A spouse finds out, and delivers an ultimatum. A politician announces that there will be no re-election bid, that he or she is coming home.
5/9/2012
Plan focuses on early-grade reading
It’s understandable because a key provision of the plan would eliminate teacher tenure in favor of employing teachers on a one-year contract basis.
5/8/2012
Five vie to replace Wood as auditor
Seeking the post are former state Sen. Fern Shubert of Marshville, Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, Wake County school board member Debra Goldman, Beaufort County Republican Party chair Greg Dority, and Joseph Hank DeBragga, internal audit manager at the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
5/7/2012
Troxler faces criticism in bid for third term
Then there was the turkey farm tip-off.
5/5/2012
Feathered friends reflect seasonal change
Our summer avian guests — crested flycatchers, cuckoos, kingbirds, to name a few — are equally anticipated and admired. Perhaps Mother Nature, in all her wisdom, knew we fickle and restless humans appreciate variety. Certainly we’re more than ready for spring’s green after winter’s dull grays and browns, and we welcome summer with its bounty of fruits and veggies. Then of course fall is such a relief from heat and humidity. But I stray from my subject, seasonal birds.
4/30/2012
Four vying for treasurer's post
The state treasurer, on the other hand, serves as the state’s investor-in-chief and debt manager. The most important part of the job is managing the $7 billion pension fund used to pay retirement benefits to retired state employees.
4/28/2012
All it takes is seven little words
Now, Russell’s accomplishments were impressive, but that is not what made the biggest impression on me. A couple of years ago, Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is considered to be the greatest honor given to a citizen of the United States. David Feherty, who does an excellent interview by the way, asked him if that was the biggest honor he had ever received and Russell’s answer was very insightful.
4/20/2012
Caring and camaraderie go hand and wing
When Martha resided at local Lake Windsor, migratory Canada geese were a winter fixture. One year she observed a female goose swimming alone and crying mournfully; this went on for days. Since geese mate for life and no male goose appeared to comfort the gander, Martha assumed the male was deceased. Martha tossed bread scraps out for all the geese daily, but her concern was especially for the grieving female. That’s when she noticed that the woeful gander, upon coming ashore to feed, was limping. Leg injury? No doubt.